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Incident
Sheriff Ford was killed when he fell underneath a train while returning to Ponca City with two deputies. The sheriff was trying to get off the train a few hundred feet before the terminal to avoid being seen by anyone he had warrants for. When he attempted to jump off he fell under the train and was killed.
Sheriff Ford was survived by his wife and two children.
Survivors
Sheriff Ford was survived by his wife and two children.
In Our Keeping
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- August 2, 2026
- Last updated
- August 2, 2026
Honored here by 1 tribute.
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Tributes
I never knew you. I am standing here anyway.
Sheriff Ford served with the Kay County Sheriff's Office.
Thank you for your service to the Newkirk community. Gone but never to be forgotten.
Rest easy, Sheriff Ford.
— S. Vincent Anthony, U.S. Army 1985-1993
Agency
Service Record
Incident Details
The Sacrifice · Accident
Kay County Sheriff's Office has lost 4 officers; 2 of them lost to accidents.
Syl is one of 135 officers lost to accidents in OK, 23.2% of the 582 remembered there.
Syl is one of 8,275 officers lost to accidents in the United States, 30% of the 27,551 remembered there.
Syl is one of 10,100 officers lost to accidents worldwide, 29.6% of the 34,117 remembered here.
34,117 officers are remembered on this memorial. Each number below is one of them.
Time
In 1908, 1 officer in OK was lost to accidents, the 39th heaviest of 78 years on record. The heaviest was 1980, with 4.
In 1908, 36 officers in the United States were lost to accidents, the 111th heaviest of 174 years on record. The heaviest was 1929, with 118.
In 1908, 48 officers worldwide were lost to accidents, the 108th heaviest of 200 years on record. The heaviest was 1930, with 131.
Who
Syl was 47. Of the 118 lost to accidents in OK whose age is recorded, half were between 30 and 48.8; the middle age was 38.
Syl was 47. Of the 7,718 lost to accidents in the United States whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 46; the middle age was 36.
Syl was 47. Of the 9,451 lost to accidents worldwide whose age is recorded, half were between 29 and 45; the middle age was 36.
When
March holds 12.6% of these deaths in OK, more than any other month. Mondays: 17.8%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths in the United States; August holds the most, 9.5%. Mondays: 13.4%.
March holds 7.4% of these deaths worldwide; August holds the most, 9.3%. Mondays: 13.5%.
How
Accident deaths account for 50% of all 4 deaths at Kay County Sheriff's Office, the most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 23.2% of all 582 deaths in OK, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 30% of all 27,551 deaths in the United States, the 2nd most common cause.
Accident deaths account for 29.6% of all 34,117 deaths worldwide, the 2nd most common cause.
His people
Kay County Sheriff's Office has 4 officers remembered here, Syl among them.
Where the Name Is Cut
National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial · Panel 42-E
Others Who Wore This Badge
3 officers from Kay County Sheriff's Office are honored on badge.nw.
